Similarities between human and canine brain tumors could lead to new treatments

A group of researchers has found a “remarkable degree” of similarity between gliomas in dogs and humans, according to a news report from Virginia Tech. Glioma brain tumors affect both species, and while they’re rare, they’re resistant to treatment and move quickly once they show up.

The researchers found similarities especially between pediatric and canine tumors. The locations of genetic mutations were often the same, as were disease processes like the way gliomas alter DNA’s ability to repair itself and the timing of when the mutations arise.

Using their results, the scientists are now beginning to develop and evaluate novel treatment approaches for brain cancer.

“Our results effectively position preclinical models of spontaneous canine glioma to better understand glioma drivers, those alterations that give cells a fundamental ability to transform into cancer,” said John Rossmeisl Jr., a veterinary neurologist at Virginia Tech.

In related news, a new manuscript highlights the value of closer commercial relationships between the human and animal health pharmaceutical and biotech sectors to speed up development of cancer treatments for humans and dogs.

The manuscript resulted from a workshop on comparative oncology during the 2019 World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s 2019 Congress.

“The new perspective on comparative oncology we outline provides an innovative, self-funding approach to improve human cancer drug development, and we are delighted that this new development incentivization strategy using comparative oncology…was initiated with the support of the WSAVA One Health Committee,” said Dr. Chand Khanna, who co-led the workshop.